Mysterious Russian Ring-Wing Drone Spotted Over Ukraine, Stirring Speculation

Russia has begun deploying a new, previously unknown type of drone over Ukraine featuring a distinctive ring-wing design that may boost its aerodynamic efficiency and payload capacity, according to Ukrainian military specialist Serhiy Beskrestnov, known by his callsign “Serhii Flesh” on October 22.

Beskrestnov said the unusual drone was detected by Ukrainian air defense units and appears capable of both reconnaissance and strike missions.

The model’s name, technical characteristics, and manufacturer remain unknown, but the expert noted its construction departs from typical quadcopter or fixed-wing designs.

The drone features an annular, or ring-shaped, wing—an aerodynamic configuration where the wing tips are connected, eliminating traditional edges and reducing vortex drag. This setup improves lift and stability while allowing for greater payload or range efficiency.

Russian developers have previously showcased similar concepts, including a model called “Kometa” (“Comet”) from a Lipetsk-based company named Shag Vpered (“Step Forward”).

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War in Ukraine

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The Kometa series reportedly includes an FPV-style interceptor designed to disable enemy drones and a larger, strike-capable version with a range of over 50 kilometers, capable of carrying an explosive warhead.

Ukrainian analysts say the introduction of ring-wing drones may indicate Russia is experimenting with alternative aerodynamic designs to enhance its drone fleet’s performance and versatility on the battlefield.

Earlier, a Russian chemical manufacturer announced a tender to purchase a WWI aerostat-based defense system designed to protect industrial sites from Ukrainian drone attacks.

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